Pear and Rose

Magritte's work focused on juxtaposing incongruous elements in order to dislocate the viewer's sense of reality. One of the techniques of Surrealism, the aim was to produce an emotional shock but also to suggest a subtle eroticism. In Pear and rose, the emotional shock is subtle but none the less effective. A comment made in a letter about his admiration for de Chirico also throws light on his own aims: 'De Chirico was the first to dream of what must be painted and not how to paint'.